Escambia To Host Barn Bash
October 23, 2009
Looking for a spooktaular event this weekend?
Escambia County will host the third annual Barn Bash on this Friday night at the Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per car. Haunting begins after dark.
Fall festivities include a haunted barn even scarier than before, ghostly hayrides, bounce houses, children’s games and scarecrow making. Some clothes are available to make a scarecrow; however, to ensure that you get to make one, bring your own old clothes. Concessions will also be available.
Wear your own costume for the costume contest. Costume judging will begin at 7 p.m. Prizes will be given for scariest, prettiest, best group, best couple and most original.
Organizers will also be collecting toys, treats, dry puppy and dog food, dry kitten and cat food, bleach, paper or cloth towels and newspaper for the animals at the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
For more information on Barn Bash 2009, contact the Escambia County Public Information Office at 595-3476, or visit www.myescambia.com.
Dogwood Dulcimers Perform At Century Care, Plan Weekend Jam Sessions
October 22, 2009
The Dogwood Dulcimer Association performed earlier this week for the residents of the Century Care Center. This weekend, they will hold a jam session at Lake Stone.
The jam session scheduled for the weekend at Lake Stone includes:
- Friday
- 6 pm Covered dish supper
- 7 pm Homemade Jam Session
- Saturday
- 1 pm Open stage
- 6 pm Pot luck dinner
- 7 pm Home Jam Session
- Sunday
- 9 a.m. Music Service
For festival information, contact Yvonne Ward at (850) 626-9981 or (850) 982-1997 or Ed Sapp at (850) 549-3864 or (850) 982-9924.
The Dogwood Dulcimers invites anyone, including beginners, to play a dulcimer or traditional instrument with them for free. The group meets every Monday 7 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 3400 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola and the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at Cottage Hill United Methodist Church at 229 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment.
Click here for the Dogwood Dulcimer website.
Pictured: The Dogwood Dulcimers perform at Century Care Center Tuesday afternoon. Submitted photos by Mae Hildreth for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Through His Own Eyes: WWII Veterans Take Honor Flight To Washington
October 22, 2009
A picture, they say, is worth 1,000 words.
So when just over 100 World War II veterans headed to Washington Wednesday on the Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Honor Flight so that the veterans could see the World Ward II Memorial — their memorial — NorthEscambia.com gave veteran Billy Ward of Walnut Hill a camera. We asked him to take pictures during his day and share them with you, our readers.
The pictures he brought back from Washington show the memorials, Jeff Miller and Bob Dole. But we also get a look inside and out the window of the plane, the fall colors of the trees in Washington, children playing, friends old and new together, and the veterans’ view of the grand homecoming back to Pensacola Wednesday night. The things he found important or interesting.
Ward’s eyes saw the fight for freedom in World War II. Wednesday, thanks to Emerald Coast Honor Flight, he was able to see the World War II Memorial with those same eyes. We invite you to click here for a gallery of Mr. Billy Ward’s photographs, and see the trip through his own eyes.
There were 103 veterans on Wednesday’s flight. They visited the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam, Korean and Iwo Jima memorials. They were joined by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, and former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.
“The World War II Memorial was really something,” Ward said. “It was something I would not have expected.”
Ward, who was elected to served as Escambia County’s probate judge from 1973 to 1989, said he enjoyed meeting Dole, a former presidential candidate.
“It was all spectacular,” he said. “Absolutely spectacular.”
When the veterans arrived back in Pensacola Wednesday night, many received handmade thank-you cards from students at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Click here for a gallery of photos by veteran Billy Ward as he shows us the Honor Flight through his own eyes. The photos are in sequential order, following the trip from Pensacola to Washington and back.
Other North Escambia area veterans on Wednesday’s Emerald Coast Honor Flight include Robert Joiner of Molino, John Clarence Smith of Jay, James Ward of Jay, and Morris Clarence Ward of Jay. Suzanne Vickrey of Molino was also on the trip, serving as a guardian.
Pictured top: The Emerald Coast Honor Flight allowed 103 veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington for the first time on Wednesday. Pictured inset: Billy Ward Of Walnut Hill meets former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole. Pictured below: The veterans’ view as they were welcomed back to Pensacola Wednesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by veteran Billy Ward, click to enlarge.
Century Eyes $140,000 Drainage Improvement Grant
October 22, 2009
The Town of Century is in the process of landing a $140,000 grant to improve drainage in an area south of the old Century High School.
The complete $540,000 project was designed prior to Hurricane Ivan, and it sat “shovel ready” since that time. The project would improve stormwater drainage in an area bordered roughly by Hecker Road to the north, Mayo Street to the west, Baptist Church Road to the east and a concrete ditch between Mayo Lane and Church Street to the south.
The town is working to determine if money from half cent sales tax or local option sales tax funds can legally be used to complete the entire project. If not, a portion of the project will be done using the $140,000 grant.
If the town is able to put matching funds into the project, Dale Long, the town’s engineer, said he would like to see the elimination of deep ditches along the narrow Archie Street.
The town will ask its attorney for any opinion on the legality of using half cent sales tax or LOST funds for this or any other drainage project.
Pictured above: This graphic shows the approximate area that would see drainage improvements if the Town of Century gets a $140,000 grant. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
More Contact Changes Push Bratt Renovation Near $1 Million
October 22, 2009
Additional changes have been approved to building renovations at Bratt Elementary School, bringing to the to-date expenditure on the project to $975,659.94.
The latest changes approved include:
- replace existing electrical outlet covers with stainless steel covers, $727.67 (principal’s request)
- move electrical disconnect in stage area and existing conduit in room 25, $702.03 (contractor’s request)
- paint bathroom ceilings to match wall color and paint existing doors and frames, $754.36 (principal’s request)
- modify transaction counter at front office by raising it approximately six inches, $678.76 (principal’s request)
- add electrical ground bus bar for additional surge protection for communications system, $698.14 (engineer’s request)
- modify existing boiler, $713.41 (owner’s request)
- lower urinal in bathroom (Room 16), $949.78 (principal’s request)
The total for the requested changes is $5,224.15. The entire project is being funding from half-cent sales tax funds for building renovations.
Century Man Arrested For Grand Theft Auto
October 22, 2009
A Century man was arrested on an outstanding grand theft auto warrant from Okaloosa County late Wednesday afternoon.
Norman Ray Hunt, 52, of Academy Street, Century, was arrested on Academy Street late Wednesday afternoon by Escambia County Deputies.Information about the grand theft auto case in Okaloosa County was not immediately available.
Panhandle Equine Rescue Issues Statement On Comments About Recent Arrests
October 22, 2009
The group Panhandle Equine Rescue has issued a statement regarding the arrest of Robin and Lynn Floyd of Century last week on animal cruelty charges.
PER President Diane Lowery issued the statement as an open response to members of the public that posted comments on NorthEscambia.com’s story about the arrests. Read the story and the ensuing comments by clicking here.
Robin Brownie Floyd, 53, and Lynn Livingston Floyd, 42, of Gilmore Road, Century, were charged with confinement of animals without sufficient food or water last Thursday. Both are free on bond and are scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment hearing on November 5.
The following is the submitted statement in its entirety from PER President/Investigator, Diane Lowery regarding the arrest of the Floyds:
Since the arrest of the Floyds, several people have expressed their thoughts on this horrible situation. Some have offered their support of PER and some will ultimately stand by the accused, for various reasons and that is their right. But others choose to criticize our efforts to bring these people to justice. We have learned that we can’t control rumors or naysayers, but we feel that a statement must be made, since there has been such an overwhelming response on the comment section of www.northescambia.com.
I can understand why so many people were skeptical of us when we began in February 2005, since there had never been a horse rescue in the history of Escambia County and certainly never any equine investigators! Since then we have gained the support from most of our local community, as well as others outside of our county and state. We have helped hundreds of horses to have better lives, through educating the owners and working with them to help make improvements in their feeding/management program. Of course, initially, people are offended that they have been “reported” and we understand that. In most cases, people welcome any recommendations that we can give to make things right for their equines. Others simply will not cooperate and that is when we must put the welfare of the animals first and if necessary take appropriate action as allowed by law. If we just walked away to avoid confrontation, then we are not doing our job and we are letting the animals down by leaving them in a bad situation. Unfortunately, sometimes those owners are well known and liked by many, but we can’t let that interfere in doing what is best for the equines. It is difficult to follow through because we know that we are “opening up a can of worms”, but we can’t treat them any different than someone else who is not well known in the community.
It would be too lengthy to go into the details of how we operate, but I can say that we do operate within the Florida Statutes. We are very familiar with animal cruelty laws and are often called upon by animal control and the sheriffs department to assist with equine cruelty cases. These entities would not ask for our assistance, if they did not have complete confidence in our abilities.
We are truly sorry that the arrest had to be made; but steps had to be taken to assure that this would never happen again. They will have their day in court and it will ultimately be up to the judge to make a decision on their guilt or innocence. Until then, we will continue our efforts to help the horses in Escambia County.
Pictured top: One of the horses involved in an abuse case on Gilmore Road. Submitted photo by PER for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Application Deadline Next Week For Several Conservation Programs
October 22, 2009
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has set a cutoff date of October 30 to submit applications for several voluntary conservation programs that may help eligible participants pay for conservation practices to prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, restore wetlands and provide habitat for wildlife.
- The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, NRCS develops contracts with agricultural producers to voluntarily implement conservation practices to address environmental natural resource problems. Persons engaged in livestock or agricultural production and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible for the program. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands.
- The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for developing or improving high quality habitat that supports fish and wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance. Through WHIP, the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to private and Tribal landowners for the development of upland, wetland, aquatic, and other types of wildlife habitat.
- The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agriculture.
- The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a program for landowners and operators to protect grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, shrubland, and certain other lands.
NRCS encourages interested parties to visit with their staff as soon as possible because applicants who apply early have more time to resolve any program or land eligibility issues.
Interested landowners should visit their local USDA – NRCS field office at 151 Highway 97 in Molino or click here for more information on these programs. Landowners can also call Josh McElhaney, district conservationist, at (850) 587-5404 ext. 3.
Photos: North Escambia Treated To Sun Dog Phenomenon
October 21, 2009
Residents across North Escambia were treated to a weather phenomenon call “sun dogs” about 3:00 Wednesday afternoon.
Sun dogs are atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots, like mini-suns, in the sky. They are caused by ice crystals in high and cold cirrus clouds. They can appear anywhere in the world during any season. They always appear at the same altitude as the sun.
Pictured above: Sun dogs around the sun Wednesday afternoon. (Note: The bright spots to the left and right of the sun were much brighter, but our skills photographing the afternoon sun are weak.) Pictured below: Another sun dog appeared in the eastern sky, directly opposite the sun. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Southwest Airlines Picks Panama City; Mayor Says Southwest May Still Fly Pensacola
October 21, 2009
Southwest Airlines announced that they will being servicing the airport in Panama City next year, but Gulf Coast Regional Airport officials in Pensacola are hopeful that Southwest will also choose to “Fly Pensacola”
The CEO of low-cost carrier Southwest, Gary Kelly, said Wednesday that the airline will begin service in May of next year when the new Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport opens. Southwest will being service with two flights to four yet to be named destinations daily on Boeing 737s.
“Southwest has also assured us in conversations this morning that its announcement in Panama City does not in any way indicate Pensacola is out of the running,” Pensacola Mayor Wiggins said Wednesday.
Wiggins pointed out that in the discussions today with Southwest, company officials again indicated the company has never considered the decision of where to begin service to this region as a “competition between Pensacola and Panama City.”
“Southwest reiterated that Pensacola is a strong market and is still being considered by them for service”, he said. “After our discussions I am even more confident than before that Southwest sees Pensacola as a market they want to serve.”
Wiggins stressed that discussions between Pensacola officials and Southwest are ongoing and that the efforts to build public support for Southwest through the “LUV Southwest” pledge program are continuing.
“We are scheduled to meet with Southwest in Dallas in early November to present the results of the region’s effort to attract Southwest as part of a continuing and detailed discussion of bringing their service to Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport,” he said.
“Until then we will continue to build support for Southwest throughout our community to show them how much we want them here. I think they are listening and they have assured us these discussions are serious and that Pensacola is very much in the picture,” the mayor said.